Maintaining your focus throughout the day is imperative, regardless of the tasks you need to handle. Unfortunately, we live in a world filled with tons of distractions that stand in the way of optimal productivity.
Staying focused necessitates some daytime routine changes and while you may feel that you have to modify a lot in the very beginning, you’ll soon start experiencing the benefits of the change. Here are a few essentials if you really want to maintain a high level of focus.
Ditch the Phone
Really! Stop checking out your phone every 15 minutes if you want to get more done.
Some of the latest studies suggest your smartphone is killing your focus. An average American is touching their phone an average of 2,617 times per day! No wonder this over-reliance on technology is killing the ability to get work done quickly and effectively.
Not only is the phone acting as a distraction, it keeps you in a state known as hyper-connectivity. Unplugging and avoiding the use of digital communication channels and online platforms for a day enables the brain to focus and to maintain its ability to perform.
Stop Going to Meetings!
According to Harvard Business Review, office meetings rank as the second biggest focus and productivity killer after the smartphone.
We participate in an office culture that’s fascinated with meetings. Unfortunately, most of them don’t contribute to productivity or the exchange of valuable ideas.
According to studies, we spend approximately 35 to 55 percent of our work time in meetings. If these are scattered throughout the day, they interrupt the work process. In a sense, meetings act as a massive distraction.
It’s a well-known fact that most important information can be communicated over email or a collaboration app. If you have to see your team or clients, schedule a weekly or a bi-monthly meeting to discuss the essentials. A meeting should have a clear agenda and a limited duration for optimal productivity.
Try Natural Supplements
Apart from getting rid of distractions, you should also consider strategies to maximize your brain power.
Proper circulation is one of the biggest essentials for maintaining optimal cognitive function. Luckily, various natural supplements can be used for the purpose.
Fish oils are one of the first essentials. The fatty acids found in them have been linked to various health benefits, including improved brain function. DHA, a type of Omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil helps maintain both the structure and the function of the brain. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that protect the brain from the natural effects of aging.
CBD oil has also been known to act as a nootropic that enhances brain health. This is one effective, natural way to focus that can be used alongside other supplements like resveratrol (sometimes called the fountain of youth due to its potent antioxidant effect), ginkgo biloba, l-carnitine, alpha-GPC and B complex.
Change Your Daily Routine to Use Your Productivity Peaks
While the standard workday lasts from 9am to 5pm, many people aren’t most productive at that time.
Studies show that morning people experience a productivity peak in the period from 9am to midday. After that, focus declines. Night owls, on the other hand, tend to get a lot more done during the dark hours.
If possible, make use of the natural rhythms that govern your body’s function. While work at the office isn’t this flexible, you can still find ways to utilize your natural energy and focus peaks. You can take work for home and do it in the evening. You can handle some of your personal responsibilities before going to bed. Find opportunities to modify your everyday existence so that your natural rhythm is harnessed in the best way.
Don’t Work for More Than 90 Minutes
Spending more time on important tasks would definitely boost your productivity, wouldn’t it?
The truth of the matter is that long chunks of work time don’t do a lot in terms of focus. In fact, working in short bursts and taking frequent breaks will give you much better results.
Research suggests that the optimal amount of time you should be dedicating to a task is 90 minutes. This is a work cycle that enables the full engagement of the brain. Once this period is over, brain activity slows down for approximately 20 minutes. These 20 minutes give you enough time for a coffee break or another pleasant activity.
As you can see, maximizing your focus doesn’t have to be that difficult. Start with a small change and get comfortable. When you do, you can move on to exploring other productivity approaches. A calm work environment, enhancing your brain health and getting rid of distractions are three of the most important ways to change if you want to perform to the best of your ability.
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